Miss. House sends school prayer bill to Bryant

JACKSON — The House has sent a bill to Gov. Phil Bryant that could legalize student prayer before school audiences.

Senate Bill 2633 is also meant to guarantee religious freedom in Mississippi public schools, ensuring students can talk about spiritual beliefs and aren’t deprived of their rights.

The House voted 108-6 for final passage of the bill Wednesday.

The measure would guarantee student rights to talk about faith in classwork and allow them to organize religious clubs. But it also would create a path to allow students to pray at school events and during morning announcements.

It suggests naming such events as “limited public forums,” choosing students to speak at each. The bill says schools can’t punish students who pray, and sponsors say the aim is to promote such prayer.